Colts home opener offers benefit for domestic violence charities

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By Kendall Downing

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Ray Rice scandal left the NFL reeling over the past week. Questions still loom over what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell knew and when. But victims' advocates said despite that, there's new attention and awareness for domestic violence being spread across the country, including Monday night in Indianapolis.

"I was in a relationship at the time where I was experiencing mental and emotional abuse, physical abuse as well," said Jasmyne West, "When I saw that things weren't going to work for the better I knew it was time for me to go."

West moved to the Circle City three years ago, fleeing an abusive boyfriend. She grabbed her two kids, left South Bend and didn't look back. West said she came to Indianapolis for The Julian Center and got involved with the Circles of Support program.

She said meeting with people in our community changed her life.

"We just talk about different issues that affect people who are in situations such as mine and how we can better ourselves," she said.

Last week, the Indianapolis Colts announced a $100,000 donation to The Julian Center.

Their match-up with the Philadelphia Eagles touches on domestic violence, too. The proceeds from this week's 50/50 raffle will go to domestic violence charities both here at home and across Indiana.